Wood & Water Do Not Get Along
If you’ve recently made the decision to buy a pontoon, congratulations — you’re in for years of fun. Pontoon boats are built for pleasure. Whether your idea of a good time is finding that sweet fishing spot in a mountain lake, or drifting through sunlit waters with your partner, owning your own pontoon will let the good times roll.
However, choosing the right pontoon boat isn’t all about size and amenities. You also want a boat that’s going to last as long as possible, without spending time and money on maintenance. This means that you need to rethink wood. Here’s why:
Wood Rots in Water
Everyone has seen logs that have spent time in the water. They’re discolored, heavy, and if they’ve been in the water long enough, rotted through. The same thing happens to a boat made from wood. Even though it’s possible to baby them along with lots of repairs and maintenance.
Another issue with wooden boats is the weight as they absorb water. This impacts their safety. Heavier boats are harder to handle than their lighter counterparts. And, they are far more vulnerable to sinking than boats made of lighter materials.
Wood also provides an optimal environment for the development of mold colonies. This further degrades the material and leaves it vulnerable to rot.
Aluminum Has a Longer Lifespan Than Wood
No matter how much you baby along a wooden boat, it’s going to have a shorter life span than aluminum. Wood is a porous, organic material and it cannot last as long.